Kiri Te Kanawa gives ‘Downton’ an operatic touch

Downton Abbey, the world’s favourite country-house soap, is getting a dose of opera.

Producers say soprano Kiri Te Kanawa will appear in the upcoming fourth season as real-life diva Nellie Melba.

The New Zealand-born singer says “I couldn’t say yes fast enough” to appearing in a show she loves – and enjoyed her time on set so much she named her new dog Abbey.

Te Kanawa sang for journalists at a preview of the new season on Tuesday. In the new series, Melba – a huge star of the early 20th century – joins the aristocratic Grantham clan for a house party.